New Orleans Hornets backup center Hilton Armstrong, who has missed the first two preseason games with a sore left thigh, will play in Saturday’s home preseason opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Coach Byron Scott said Friday.

Armstrong participated in a light practice Friday morning at the AlarioCenter, but has been limited since last week’s scrimmage in Lafayette. Sean Marks has started the previous two games.

The Hornets are coming off back-to-back losses against the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Bobcats to open the preseason.For the third consecutive game, center Emeka Okafor (sprained toe) and Ike Diogu (strained left knee) are not expected to play.

In the preseason, the Hornets have been unable to avoid falling behind by substantial margins in the first half. In Wednesday's 108-102 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, the Hornets were outscored 30-12 in the first quarter and trailed 62-36 at halftime. Against Charlotte Thursday, New Orleans trailed by a 21-point deficit in the first half and lost 108-101.